Canada's manufacturing sales jump 1.2% in May, higher than estimates

ISTANBUL

Canada's manufacturing sales jumped 1.2% to $72.9 billion in May, according to figures released Friday by Statistics Canada.

The figure came much better than market expectations of a 0.8% increase.

Manufacturing sales in April were revised down to a 0.1% contraction from a gain of 0.3%.

In May, sales of chemical products and motor vehicle parts rose 4.8% each, but primary metal manufacturing decreased the most with 6.9%, Statistics Canada said in a statement.

Manufacturing sales increased in five provinces in May, led by Ontario and Alberta, but Quebec posted the largest decline, it added.